Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has made a bold call for the issuance of work permits to half a million undocumented immigrants in Illinois.

This move, which prioritizes immigrants over unemployed American citizens, has sparked controversy. Despite the city's ongoing struggle with crime and urban decay, Johnson confidently stated that Chicago could accommodate an additional 400,000 to 700,000 immigrants.

During a meeting with urban business leaders, Johnson asserted, “We need the President to extend the same economic opportunities long term for our undocumented brothers and sisters, so they can build a better life here in the city of Chicago or wherever else they decide to live.” He further emphasized that Chicago would always welcome those who wish to make it their home.

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Fox News reported that Johnson, who celebrated his first anniversary as mayor on the same day, had written a letter to the Biden administration. He urged for more work permits, backed by several other city mayors, including those from Denver, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco.

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Johnson expressed his unwavering belief in a more inclusive and equitable future for all residents, regardless of their time of arrival. He acknowledged the ongoing "humanitarian crisis" but assured that city officials would remain committed to immigrant communities.

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Earlier this year, over 40 city mayors sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. They requested the administration to grant more permits for new arrivals and extend existing ones. The letter partly read, “To that end, we urge you to implement a permanent work permit extension that is 540 days. If DHS does not implement a permanent change to the automatic extension, any temporary extension should be for a period of no less than three years, to allow sufficient time for USCIS to work through the extensive work permit renewal backlog. We ask that you act swiftly so that the communities we represent do not experience the destabilizing effects of immigrant workers falling out of the workforce.”